Things to Do in Osu Castle

Wandering through the castle grounds

Wandering through the castle grounds gives you a sense of its scale and its various roles over time. You'll see the arched doorways of the old slave dungeons, their darkness a stark counterpoint to the bright courtyards above, and hear guides explaining the transition from trade fort to government house.

Visiting Osu Beach

The stretch of coastline directly in front of the castle walls, often called Osu Beach, has a completely different perspective. Here, the view is dominated by fishing boats painted in bright blues and yellows pulled onto the sand, and you'll hear the shouts of fishermen mending their nets. The smell of drying fish hangs in the humid air, and the feel of the coarse sand underfoot is a world away from the manicured castle lawns.

Dining with a sunset view

For a meal with a view, the area near the castle has a few spots where you can watch the sunset over the water. One place locals might point you to is a restaurant tucked along the road toward Labadi, known for its grilled lobster and banku. Sitting on the terrace, you'll taste the smoky, pepper-laden sauce and feel the cool evening breeze come in off the ocean.

Exploring Osu Oxford Street

Just a short walk inland, the Osu Oxford Street area provides a jolt of contemporary life. After the castle's quiet, you're met with a crush of neon-lit shop signs, the sizzle of kebabs on roadside grills, and the steady beat of music spilling from open doorways. The air smells of charcoal smoke and frying plantain. It's the kind of place where you can easily lose an afternoon browsing through fabric shops or just watching the street scene develop.

Visiting the W.E.B. Du Bois Center

A visit to the nearby W.E.B. Du Bois Center has a thoughtful bookend to a day that starts at the castle. The quiet grounds, filled with the chirping of birds and the rustle of palm fronds, house the personal library and resting place of the scholar. It feels like a peaceful, scholarly retreat, a place to reflect on the broader narratives of history and diaspora that connect to this coastline.

Osu itself is a lively base, with Oxford Street's endless options for food and shopping right outside your door.

Labadi offers beachfront resorts, a more relaxed resort-style atmosphere.

Cantonments provides quiet, tree-lined streets and a number of embassies, feeling more residential.

East Legon is a bit further out, known for larger villas and a growing selection of upscale cafes and bars.

Airport Residential Area is, as it sounds, convenient for very short stays and has a cluster of international hotels.

Jamestown, the historic heart of Accra, has a raw, artistic energy and a handful of guesthouses, but it's a world apart from the polished feel of Osu.